Blues!!

                                                            I have not had much chance to blog my cards during the holidays, but now visitors have gone, so today is the day!
This beautiful stamp is  from Elegant Spring Flowers set by Chocolate Baroque. I stamped and clear embossed it on a white tag, and then rubbed over it with Brilliance Pearlescent Sky Blue ink pad. The stamped image pops right out with this technique. I rubbed a little ink around the edge of the card, and attached some wee blue tags finished with  blue rhinestones. I then added a beautiful die cut that I won in a prize from Dies to Die for.

I would like to enter this at Sweet Stamps for die cuts and a flower stamp
and Cupcakes for January Blues
                  

Happy New Year

I had to make some New Year cards so took the opportunity to enter some challenges.
The card is embossed with Sizzix 'texture fade' I then highlighted the design by embossing with a sparkly EP. A new technique - it really makes the design stand out)  I then layered it onto white card (but not crooked like this scan shows!!) The letters have also been embossed with Ebony Shimmer EP. In real life this is so sparkly and festive, but it is extremely difficult to show it from a scan.
I would like to enter the following:-
Polkadoodles - Happy New Year
A Blog Named Hero - New Technique
Crafty Ribbons - New Beginnings

May I wish all of my followers a Happy and Prosperous New Year

Cracked Glass

Today's card features a technique that we learned at card class a wee while ago.
This is the first time I have tried it at home.
I stamped on the butterfly shape with a cherry blossom stamp, and coloured it with distress inks. I then used 3 coats of UTEE, and when it had cooled I then 'cracked' it and rubbed a little distress ink into the cracks to make them stand out.
The DP is from The Scrap Cake - One moment in time pad.
The die is Memory Box - Madera corner

I am entering this in the challenge at Sweet Stamps for cracked glass.

Also the challenge at Totally Gorguss for something new
(The DP is new)

Christmas tags

I made these tags to go on two of the presents at Christmas.
I ran them through my cuttlebug with a sizzix folder, and then swiped with a white ink pad to highlight. The images are printed from the CD Gingerbread Twist (Studio 12), and I added a Merry Christmas peeloff in gold.
I can enter the Craftroom challenge for tags
Crafty Hazelnuts for A/G Christmas
Joanna Sheen for Christmas

Best wishes to all for the festive season

A Christmas Birthday

My second post today!
I made the background by stamping with stars and swirls from one of my Christmas sets.
I then stamped 3 cupcakes (free with a magazine) onto plain white card. I paper pieced the cases, and then coloured the rest with my Promarkers, adding a little Kindyglitz to the flames. I made a little banner for the message and added it to the bottom.
I would like to enter the following challenges
Passion for Promarkers - use happy in message
Polkadoodles - Christmas birthday for a child
                                                                                    Cupcakes - cupcakes
                                                                                     My Graffico - anything goes

It's been a while

..since I have made a card that is not for Christmas. I was playing around yesterday and came up with this CAS card. The bird is paper pieced, and the message is stamped between two scored lines.
The stamp set is by Hero Arts and I used Studio G ink pad.
I am entering
CASual Fridays - even the score
My Graffico - anything goes

Just for you

Sorry for my slightly crooked scan!!
I have based this card on one we did at class this week, as I really liked the style.
I cut a circle with my cb in a piece of white card, slightly smaller than the base card. Then embossed it with swiss dots EF, wrapped it with a piece of black & white ribbon. I then layered it with mounting tape, after stamping the words.
The flowers are from R & R Pocock Ltd, called lillies. I stamped it twice with Studio G - white and embossed with clear EP,and then coloured with Marvy markers.
I have made this for the challenge at The Play Date Cafe - black and white with a splash of maroon.
Also My Graffico - Anything Goes

Ooh La La!!

The current Craftroom challenge is
 le Chic Francais
I have followed this theme by using 2 stamps from CHF - key elements,  and the Eiffel  tower is from a different set that I have lost the label from. The background paper is from a lilybee pad called victoria park, and then layered on to a black card base.
Other challenges entered
Polkadoodles   -  any die will do  (The blue circle is cut with a spellbinders circle die)
Joanna Sheen   - anything goes (not Christmas)

Chic!!

This weeks challenge at the Cuttlebug spot is to use a feather.
I have added one here to highlight the lovely hat on the model.
The stamp is from Kanban and I embossed it with gold.

I will also enter this in the anything goes challenge at Emergency Crafters

Cute Christmas

The challenge this month at Penny Black Saturday is for Cute Christmas.
I have used a PB stamp and coloured it with Promarkers and copics. I have added dimensional magic to the baubles to make them lovely and shiny. I layered on to dark blue, then a blue stripe paper, and then on to white card. Finished off with a peeloff and some stars

Cool and Festive Sparkles

I am afraid my scan does not show the beautiful gold 'sparkliness' of this card. It looks so much nicer in real life!!
I stamped the music background (CI 194) with Encore gold and then spritzed with Glimmer Mist iridescent gold.
The lovely girl was stamped with Brilliance lightning black and then trimmed. I added some wings which were printed on velum, and the circular message was layed on a scalloped circle, edged with gold glitter glue.

I would like to enter in this month's challenge at Crafty Individuals for festive sparkles
and also at Charisma Cards for cool colours

Cold and Frosty

The challenge at Joanna Sheen is for 'Cold and Frosty'
I printed the image and attached it to the blue card, which I enhanced with DI 'broken china' and stamped snowflakes in silver. The message is embossed in silver ep, cut out with a die, and edged in silver pen.
I would also like to enter the challenges at
Sweet Stamps  -  silver or gold
Fashionista  -  Blue Christmas
House of Gilli   -   celebrations

Another one to add to the Christmas box

Christmas is Coming ----

The current challenge at Crafts and Me is 'red'
I have gone with this colour and combined it with a pale cream to make this Christmas card. The embossing folder is from Sizzix, the santa stamp is by Tim Holtz, cut out with scalloped oblongs die, the Noel ticket I have printed from my gingerbread twist cd, and the flower is a Spellbinders Pointsettia die. I added a little Kindy Glitz on to the flower centre.

I can also enter at Craftroom, for punches and diecuts
House of Gilli for Celebrations

Christmas Sparkles

The present challenge over at Polkadoodles is for sparkles.
Unfortunately my lovely sparkly EP does not show up very well in this scan. The cute wee gingerbread man is from the 'Gingerbread Twist' CD which I was lucky enough to win recently.

I am also entering at Sweet Stamps - their challenge is for Christmas

Fireworks!!

The challenge this week at One Stop Craft Challenges is to use a fireworks theme or colours.
I have used an embossing folder on my handmade backing paper, which I coloured with Dylusions and and Moon Glow's Glitz Spritz. I added some extra sparkle with a Twinklette pen, but it doesn't show up too well in the scan. The orange flower is a peeloff from Starform Stickers, and the best wishes peeloff has been in my craft stash for a long time (I coloured it with a black marker.
The embossed folder looks like an exploding firework to me!.
Additional challenges
Everybody Art  -  Embossing
Lawnscaping  -  Dust em Off

The Time of my Life

I had fun making this one today - orange background edged with DI Walnut Stain, and stamped with images from Cornish Heritage Farm. The pocket watch stamp is unknown. I have embellished with an old clock face, clock parts and a Memory Box die.
I am entering in
Craftroom Challenge - use clock or time
Cornish Heritage Farms - Autumn colours

"Owls" for you!

I have been such a bad blogger - over a month since I have had anything to show. Today I spent most of my time in my craft room and managed to make a few cards.
Here is the first one, fairly simple, but quite cute!

The green background was embossed in my cuttlebug, and then rubbed over lightly with a green ink pad to highlight. The 3 owls (Stamping Up) were stamped in orange and then clear embossed. The message is computer generated, and all layered on to a flecked card

I will enter this in the Cuttlebug Spot challenge for owls.

Mega Candy

Bearly Mine Crafts has a huge MEGA Candy plus an Epson Printer for one lucky UK blogger
Pop over and check it out

The little dancer

I have made this canvas collage for my granddaughter, using a wonderful stamp set from Lindsay Mason. I have added a doiley flowers, a butterfly, and used various paint effects. I hope she likes it - we are taking it over next week, but may get her Mum to put it away for Christmas
I would like to enter it in  the Craft-room challenge for Collage, and also Joanna Sheen  for so sweet

Acetate

The challenge this week at Sweet Stamps is to use acetate.
I cut a rectangle in my card, and taped the acetate on the reverse.
The image is a peeloff which I stuck to double sided clear 'stuff' (I don't know what it is called)
I then rubbed in Glitter Ritz, coloured with copics, cut it out, and then stuck it on to the acetate.
I finished off with some decorative edging and a message

Hel's Candy

Hel at Pinkleart  is celebrating her 5th year of blogging and is  celebrating with this candy. It closes on 14th September, so be in quick

Going Dotty!

The Joanna Sheen Challenge this week is 'going dotty' so I thought this was a good entry for it.
I have made it for Max's 17th birthday using various papers from my stash. The 2 smaller letters are embossed with my cuttlebug.
The idea was given to me by the lovely Sara from Cardmaking Paradise -(see the links on my sidebar) check out all her wonderful templates!

Lace and Swirls

Today's card includes several techniques.
The background was embossed and then the raised swirls were lightly coloured with Brilliance Pearlescent Sky Blue and then embossed with Winter Illusion EP
The flower is stamped twice, the top layer trimmed back a little, and the colour was brought out using Cornflower, Arctic Blue, and Azure Promarkers.  I added a little KindyGlitz for sparkle, a piece of lace, and a large 'gem' in the centre.

I am entering the following challenges
Passion for Promarkers #165 for lace and swirls
Stamp and Create  for Anything Goes
 Pinkleart  for stamped flowers

Blog Candy

Candy #1 Recollections I'm a Little Monster stamp set, Kelly Panacci rub-ons, Ranger Distress Inks Fall 2011 LE set.

Head on over to Anything but a card and check out this  great candy. 

Girly

This cute little girly card is made from bits and pieces from my stash, and trimmed with paper flowers, and a lovely little butterfly charm.

I can enter the following challenges

Going Buggy   -   girly
Craftroom Challenge  -  pins and/or charms

The Craft Barn Candy

I'm not going to list every thing in there, but I'm sure you can spot a lot of yummy products.... 

die cuts (I see Tim Holtz's phone there), inks (including Dylusions), glitter, a Crafty Secrets CD, embossing folders, goodies to alter, embellishments, a "stamp and die" set, gilding flakes and more...

Why not head over to The Craft Barn and check this out.

What a fabulous candy

butterfly kisses

I have made this card from one of my favourite colour combo's.
The background is stamped with Penny Black  'Penmanship' an oldie but a goody! The sentiment was printed from my computer and die cut with a Go Create die. The butterfly is a Spellbinders

I am entering in
Joanna Sheen  - Sentiment as main item
Paper Play    -   Sentiment as main item
Bearly Mine    -  Anything goes

Blue and Green

I am needing some children's birthday cards, so thought this one filled the bill for a few challenges as well. The card and papers are from my stash, and the wee boy is a digi (I will check out who's it is) The greeting is from a new stamp I bought today - a words set by Sullivans.

I would like to enter the following challenges
Bizzy Becs   - spots and stripes
Sassy Cheryl    -    birthday
Bearly Mine   -  anything goes

Chic!

Today's card features a stamp set that I have had for some time, by Dawn Houser at Inkadinkado. I have stamped with Memento Tuxedo black on to some pieces of designer paper from Basic Gray 'out of print' 6x6 pad.I added a couple of rhinestones for some bling.
I am entering
Craftroom Challenge   for -  fashion
Paper and Such   for  - stamp on designer paper
The Crafty Bloggers Network  for - Pink and Black

at the beach!

Today's card features one of the very first stamps that I ever bought. It was one of a set of 4 by Provo Craft - all little beach scenes - they are so cute.
I stamped with Brilliance graphite black and embossed with clear ep. I have coloured with Promarkers and made it into a shaped card with a Go Create die. I have done faux stitching around the edge.
I can enter in
Passion for Promarkers   -  at the beach
Paper Play   - shaped cards

Pink and Purple

A pretty card I made this morning before going out.
The card is a pale pink mottled colour (from my stash)
The background is randomly stamped with Hero Arts-Old French Writing. I then ran a piece of vellum through my cuttlebug with the paisley folder and tore a piece off which I placed on the right hand side. I then attached a piece of sheer pink ribbon, and then layered my stamped image on top. I don't know the name of the stamp as I borrowed it from a friend a while ago!
I am entering  Emergency Crafters  for pink and purple from their colour inspiration, and  Sweet Stamps   for stamped background

Black and white + 1

Unfortunately my scanner has made this a little pink - IRL it is more into the mauve shades of the ribbon.

I have used a lovely new (to me) stamp set from Cornish Heritage Farms, and I have popped the circle up on mounting tape. The wings of the butterflies are also raised.

I would like to enter in
Cornish Heritage Farms
The House That Stamps Built   for Repeat Impressions DCC81 ~ Color Challenge
both are wanting black and white and one other                                                                                          colour

Me and my friend

I have used a number of layers here,
background stamped with Crafty Individuals music
dotty paper from Basic Grey - Out Of Print 6x6
Little paper doiley coloured with ink pad
a double punched piece for the vertical trim
Image by Whimsy Stamps

I am entering
Paper Play  -  Layers
Dream Valley  -  Die cuts and punches

Butterflies

Today's card features a gorgeous stamp from Crafty Individuals, and a new background technique. It was done bt dabbing distress inks onto an acrylic block, spritzing with water and then applying it to the card. I really like how this has turned out, and will try this agin in a different colour scheme.
I am entering the following challenges
Paperminutes  - backgrounds with acrylic blocks
Joanna Sheen  -  Try something new

Christmas is Coming!!

This is a super-easy Christmas Bauble card to make using Spellbinders Scalloped circles, and a Christmas embossing folder. Add a shaped tab at the top with a string, and it can be used to hang on your tree. I have chosen to use it as a Christmas card, with the addition of the message.

I am entering the following challenges
Sweet Stamps  - Christmas Ornaments
Inky Impressions - Embossing
Challenge Up Your Life - Everything Goes

Round and round in circles!

I have been having a crafty day, as it is so wet and miserable outside.
I have cut this on my cuttlebug, using scalloped circles, and plain circles.
The wee stamp is by Stampin Up and it fits the scallop punch perfectly.
I tied some string around it, and added a wee silver apple charm.
I am entering it in the following
Emergency Crafters  -  circles
Polkadoodles  - Summer (the colours are summery)
Paper Minutes  -  charms

Check out this candy

Who wants some Tim Holtz candy?!

Up for grabs:

• Tim Holtz Alterations - Crown & Fleur
• Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Accoutrements
• Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Facets
• Tim Holtz District Market Notecards - Metropolitan (includes 12 printed notecards and envelopes.  Perfect kicking off point for a Tim Holtz inspired work of art or use them as they are) 

Amy at Stampin Stuff has this candy up for grabs  but be quick - it closes Thursday

It's been a while!!

It has been over a month since I have been able to make any cards, as we have been away on holidays! I have been having a little play with oil pastels, and created this card following the directions of Helen Chilton in Craft Stamper magazine.
The stamp is from Hero Arts, and the die-cut is Memory Box.
I stamped the image twice more on teal/blue card, and cut and layered them, one over the original image, and one for an embellishment.
 I would like to enter the following challenges
Paperminutes  for 'no people or animals'
Samuel Taylor's Crafts  for die cuts
Simply Create Too  for use it twice (I used 2 flowers)
Bizzy Becs  for flower power

Black and White

I love black and white, so when I saw this challenge at Just Some Lines, I knew I had to enter.
I have used a white diecut shape that was sent to me and added a rub on sentiment by Kaisercraft. I made the flower from a Basic Grey 6x6 pad called 'Out of Print', finished off with a candi type stick-on
Hope you like it!

Edited to add that I drew first place with this card - how exciting!

My take on bunting

I made this recently for a thank-you item. The pink background has a lovely texture with a gold fleck through it.
The sentiment is gold embossed and cut out with a label die, and is slightly raised in the centre.
The butterfly, which was a gift from a fellow crafter, has been coloured with gold, and gold halo Lumiere paints and also used the gold to edge the pink card
Challenges entered

Whimsy Inspirations   - things with wings
Southern Girls        -   things with wings
Emergency Crafters   - also wings.

Faux stitching!

Hi everyone.
Today's card uses a gorgeous digi from Saturated Canary, which I have coloured with Promarkers. The pretty paper in the background is from a wonderful 6x6 paper pad that I won from Cindy Vernon. I have added a printed sentiment, some lace, and a little pink butterfly.

I am entering the following challenges
Polkadoodles  -  birthday card with doodles (faux stitching)
Craftroom Challenge   -  birthday
Kaboodles Doodles   -  anything goes
Crafty Sentiments Designs   -   anything goes
Fab n Funky   -  celebrations

Friends

I was rather pleased with the way this one finished.
I found a lovely background to print from Astrid's site, and have layered it onto blue metallic card.The nesties label is cut with my cuttlebug and the words are a lovely rub-on that I bought in Australia. I tied the label on with matching blue sheer ribbon, cut out a flower from some old lace and adhered it to blue card. I coloured the pearls and rhinestones with copics. (used 3 of each)

I would like to enter the following challenges

Polkadoodles   - use 3 of something (it's their 3rd birthday)
Artful Times #5    -  ribbon and lace
Joanna Sheen    -  remember when  (has a nostalgic look)
The Squirrel & The Fox   -   friends

die cuts

I have been having fun creating a series of these. The top is the birthday embossing folder, and the lower half is a piece from my stash. The die cut is from Cuttlekids which I have had for a number of years, and is still very useful. I have pieced it and placed it on a scalloped square (nesties rectangle cut down to a square) which has the edges 'smudged with some ink pads.

I would like to enter the following challenges
Southern Girls   for die cuts
A blog Named Hero     for 'dust em off'
Hotshot Crafts    for die cuts
One Stop Crafts   for One for the boys
Here comes the boys   for anything goes

Playing Around!

I have been having a messy play with some old stamps, new stamps, and distress inks.
I have had this Tim Holtz stamp for a year now and sad to say, it has not seen much ink. I stamped it twice with Adirondack 'expresso' (love this colour) and then cut out the bird and added some colour with a copic.
The background dots are 'Mini Polka Dot Background' that I won from The Artistic Stamper, and have lost the name of the little diamonds. I sponged with 'Dried Marigold' and 'Antique linen' distress inks.
I would like to enter the following challenges

Artful Times #4   - birds
Sweet Stamps   - my favourite colour
A Blog named Hero     -use something old
Just some lines     - birds

Thanks for your feedback
I have just found out that this card was chosen as one of the top 3 at Just Some Lines  Thanks a lot

Flowers

Just a quick card today for the challenge at The Cuttlebug Spot    The stamp is from Hero Arts, the sentiment is a rub-on, and the scalloped ovals were cut with my 'bug. The green layer was embossed with 'swiss dots'
Hope you like it

Pink!

Today's card is a very simple one - A piece of pink card embossed with my paisley folder, and lightly 'smooched' with Impress 'cupid pink' ink pad. Stamped with words from a Hero Arts set, and finished with a 'nestie butterfly in darker pink and vellum.

I am entering
Going Buggy  - things with wings
Crafts and Me   punches and die cuts
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #168   Pink
Polkadoodles    monochromatic

Blue & Brown

The challenge at Sunday Stamper is for blue and brown so have made this card using the two colours.
The brown is Adirondack Expresso and I used it for the image, as well as sponging the edges of the pale brown card and top layer. The blue layer was run through the cuttlebug with my paisley folder, and then highlighted a little with a white ink pad. The image is from a new stamp set that I won from The Creative Pointe, and I finished off with 3 blue gems, twine which is wound 3 times around the top layer and a brown button.
I would also like to enter at Marks Finest Papers - 3 of something, and SJCrafts - use your favourite. (my cuttlebug)

Emboss resist

This circular card was made with scalloped circles by Nestabilities. I cut a smaller size to layer on the front.. The stamp ( a lovely prize from Blockheads) is stamped with an Emboss It Clear pad, and then clear EP and heated.
I then rubbed in Distress Inks, antique linen, dried marigold, and worn lipstick. This immediately makes the image pop. I then finished with a flourish stamp and some paper flowers.
I am entering the following challenges
Blockheads   for emboss resist
Flourishes #167   for butterflies
Challenge up Your Life   for resist
Craftymess   for distressing and embossing

 

Monochrome

This is my first post in nearly a month as we have been away. I saw the challenge at Papercraft weekend  was for monochromatic and I was keen to try out a stamp from a set that I won from
 Chocolate Baroque.
The card is a pretty blue metallic finish, and I have used Midnight Blue to stamp with. I lightly coloured the flowers with Promarkers, and finished off with some blue gems.
I would also like to enter the following challenge.
Marks Finest Papers  -  Blues